Gas Safety Certificates and Other Leeds Landlord Duties

Last week we explored gas safety checks and why they are very important so this week we’re carrying on with the theme to cover gas safety certificates. But did you know that as well as a duty to keep all of their tenants gas safe, landlords are also responsible for some other obligations too? From ensuring properties are free from hazards to providing copies of safety certificates, let’s take a look at what it means to be a Gas Safe landlord in Leeds today…

Annual Gas Safety Checks

When it comes to letting a home, Leeds landlords must comply with Gas Safe regulations. This includes ensuring appliances and flues are safely installed and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Safety checks must also be every 12 months to ensure appliances are safe for use, however, in April 2018, new requirements came into play, making the timing of checks more flexible for landlords.

Which Gas Appliances Need to Be Checked?

For yours and your tenant’s safety, you should only use appliances in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. You should also never carry out any work on them yourself or do anything that would compromise the gas supply. Gas appliances that should be checked every year include boilers, water heaters or circulators and warm air heaters. Additionally, an engineer will also check independent space heaters, cooker boilers, flued cookers, vented and unvented hot water storage vessels and micro co-generation appliances. This is applicable in all rental properties and annually for every gas appliance but if an appliance is actually owned by a tenant i.e. a cooker, you are not legally responsible for having this checked.

Keeping a Record of Gas Safety Certificates

A landlord’s gas safety certificate is also referred to as the landlord’s gas safety record. It has also been required by law since 1998 for all UK rental accommodation where gas appliances are present. Once a gas safety check is complete your engineer will present your official certificate and a copy must also be provided to the tenant within 28 days of the check. If you’re expecting a new tenant to move into a property then a copy of the certificate must be provided to them beforehand. Landlords must also keep records for a minimum of two years or until two further gas safety checks have been carried out.

Leeds Landlord Maintenance Duties

Landlord maintenance usually involves regular inspections and any repairs. They must also ensure that gas pipework is safe and maintained in good condition. Any appliances or flues provided by the landlord must be safe for tenants to use and they must also be serviced annually in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines (unless otherwise advised by a Gas Safe registered engineer). Although there are no rules set in stone for landlords to keep hold of maintenance records, they are, however, required to be able to show that it is regularly carried out.

A Trusted Gas Service for Landlords in Leeds

As experienced gas and heating experts in the Leeds and surrounding areas, at Direct Heating, we have your back if you’re a landlord looking for help. With repeat rental work that dates back years and an excellent reputation with busy landlords, we can offer you boiler servicing and annual gas checks as part of our convenient service. Please get in touch to find out more if you’re a Leeds landlord.